Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-01-25
why ARR roU Not ! cHR1sTIAn.


The following is an extract Of the sub.
iect discussed at the prayer-meeting in
the Presbyterian Church last night, In
which the pastor said:
Some answers that will be given to this
question are frivolous, and are not worthy
Of consideration. Some will reply that
they have net seriously thought of the
claims that God had upon them. Others
present reasons that are worthy of con-
sideration Some offer the inconsistent
cies of protesting christians, as reason
why they have not accepted the offers
Christ has made them. But what, we
ask in reply, has the irregular life of
another to do with our safety? There
are many persons who are afflicted with
diseases that must prove fatal. They try
to deceive themselves and their friends,
as to their physical condition. Does the
false impression they make upon us pre-
vent us from securing our own health p
We know our own need when we are
sick, and If others refuse the skill of the
physician and the benefit Of medicine, we
do not follow their example. Why
should we act differently in reference to
the soul ? Besides, Gods word says very
distinctly. every man shall give account
of himself to God"
Then some think If they will only do
as well as they can, that is, by their own
efforts, that God viii accept them at last
But the Bible teaches us that without the
shedding of blood there is no remission
of sins. This is the great truth taught in
the worrhip of the Old Testament Church,
and also of the New Testament Church
And it is most remarkable fact, that
this thought has entered to some extent
into hM oil ns0 rf he For
in all parts of the heather world we find
bleeding victims and smoking affairs
The bleeding victim on the Jewish altar
was typical of the one great sacrifice of
Christ So great is the value of the sac
rifice of Christ from His divine character,
that it is worth moro than all the sacri-
fees that were offered in the Old Tesla
ment worship, and is able to save unto
the uttermost all who come unto God by
Him. by one Offering he hath perfect
ed forever them that are ksanctified. -
Faith in that sacrifice, as we are taught
in God word, is absolutely necessary.
Some give as reason that they are not
christians, the fear that they will not be
able to live life in harmony with the
teachings of the Bible. If we try it in
our own strength there is nothing more
certain than failure. No man ought to be
moro thoroughly convinced of his weak
ness than the christian. But with divine
aid, which we can obtain by prayer, we
can live consistent, useful life, and
''adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things"
Some say that they are not christians,
because they are waiting for deeper i'm
pressions of the value and importance of
religion. If deeper impressions are really
needed, we get them by doing what
Christ commands and by giving him our
hearts. IL we feel that we are sinners,
and that we cannot save ourselves, we do
not need deeper impressions. It is our
duty to accept Christ at once. To-day
If we will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts.
Some are not christians, not because
they have not been convinced of their
duty, but because of the dangerous habit
of delay President Polk on his death
bed. remarked: eff any man in the
world has reason to acknowledge his
debt of gratitude to God for his mercies,
aud to deplore his forgetfulness of Him.
| am the man. For twenty years past |
have been sensible of my duty to God,
and intending to do it, but the cares of
life and incessant occupation with public
Very many instances like this can be
given. Thousands of people in every
community, know their duty but delay in
its performance.
These then are few of the reasons
that have kept our fellow men from be-
coming christians. Here is good rule
not only in the duty of giving ourselves
to the Lord, but in every other duty
DO the duty which lies nearest thee,
which thou knowest to be q duty, thy
second duty will already have become
clearer. The first duty in importance
and in time is the duty of loving and hon
oring God If we come to Him in the
way of his appointment He will receive
us and we will have strength for the per-
Torrance of all the duties of life.
The subject for tonight: The Pleas
ures of the Christian Life